Strumigenys luca Fisher, 2000

Bolton, B., 2000, The ant tribe Dacetini. With a revision of the Strumigenys species of the Malgasy Region by Brian L. Fisher, and a revision of the Austral epopostrumiform genera by Steven O. Shattuck., Memoirs of the American Entomological Institute 65, pp. 1-1028 : 663

Strumigenys luca Fisher sp. n.

HOLOTYPE WORKER. TL 3.1, HL 0.69, HW 0.59, CI 85, ML 0.37, MI 53, SL 0.46, SI 78, PW 0.33, AL 0.74. Characters of hilaris-complex. Each mandible with 2 preapical teeth, situated in the apical third; proximal preapical tooth longer than distal. Upper scrobe margin distinct but not bordered by a projecting laminar rim or flange throughout its length. Eyes moderate in size, convex, and plainly visible in full-face view; maximum diameter of eye distinctly greater than maximum width of scape. Scape short, more or less straight, widest in the midsection; hairs on leading edge fine, slightly flattened or spoonshaped apically. Cephalic dorsum densely clothed with curved narrowly spatulate to flattened spatulate ground-pilosity; upper scrobe margin fringed with curved narrowly spatulate hairs. Cephalic dorsum with 4 stout standing hairs arranged in a transverse row close to the occipital margin and a more anteriorly situated pair on vertex. Pronotal humeral hair absent; humeral angles rounded, posterior lateral margin of pronotum bluntly marginate. Anterior margin of mesonotum with a pair of stout filiform hairs. Propodeum with one pair of short, fine, posteriorly curved hairs at anterior base of propodeal spines. Ground-pilosity on alitrunk as on head but sparser. Dorsum of alitrunk in outline convex anteriorly, posterior mesonotum gradually sloping down to metanotal groove. Anterior propodeum slightly raised above mesonotum; propodeum not flat, gradually sloping down to declivity. Propodeal spines narrowly triangular, subtended by a narrow lamella on declivity. Alitrunk dorsum and side of pronotum densely reticulate-punctate, portions of central pleurae often smooth and shiny. Petiole node in dorsal view about as broad as long. Postpetiole disc densely and finely reticulate-punctulate. Spongiform appendages of petiole absent; weakly developed on postpetiole. Spongiform collar present only on posterior margin of postpetiole. Basigastral costulae short and distinct, with secondary and much longer fine striolate sculpture arising between the shorter costulae. Dorsal surfaces of petiole, postpetiole and gaster with stout standing narrowly remiform hairs. Colour light to medium brown.

PARATYPE WORKERS. TL 2.8 - 3.1, HL 0.63 - 0.70, HW 0.53 - 0.61, CI 83 - 91, ML 0.35 - 0.38, MI 52 - 58, SL 0.43 - 0.49, SI 75 - 84, PW 0.32 - 0.35, AL 0.68 - 0.74 (9 measured). As holotype.

Holotype worker, Madagascar: Prov. Toliara, southern Isoky-Vohimena Forest, 59 km. NE Sakaraha, 22 O 41 ' S, 44 ° 50 ' E, 730 m., 21. i. 1996, sifted litter (leaf mold, rotten wood), tropical dry forest # 1312 (4) - 3 (S. Razafimandimby) (MCZ),

Paratypes. 16 workers with same data as holotype but coded (l) - 4, (2) - l, (3) - 2, (5) - 2, (7) - 4, (8) - 3, (18) - 3, (25) - l, (28) - l, (30) - 4, (36) - 2, (46) - 2, (BMNH, SAM).

NON-PARATYPIC MATERIAL EXAMINED. Madagascar: Tampoketsa d'Ankazobe, Ambohitantely, 1550 m. (J. - M. Betsch); 48 km. ENE Morondava, 30 m. (D. M. Olson); Col des Tapia, 1400 m. (Banolozzi, Ttati <t Raharimina); 59 km. NE Sakaraha, Vohibasia Forest 780 m. (S. Razafimandimby); 15 km. E Sakaraha, 760 m. (P. S. Ward); Res. Andohahela, parcel # 1, versante W, 500 - 600 m. (Banolozzi, Tiali <t Raharimina).

Measurements of this material extend the range shown by the type-series: HL 0.63 - 0.73, HW 0.53 - 0.58, CI 79 - 85, ML 0.34 - 0.40, MI 52 - 59, SL 0.44 - 0.48, SI 82 - 85 (5 measured). This material shows variation in the outline of the posterior portion of the alitrunk. In some specimens, the anterior margin of the propodeum is not raised above the mesonotum, and the propodeum is more or less flat.

S. luca is most similar to milae in the hilaris-complex and can be easily distinguished from the latter species by the presence of a single pair of erect hairs on the mesonotum. See hilae for further discussion.